A Cardio Snobs Workout

As I peruse the pages of various holiday issues of my favorite fitness/womens magazines I notice many articles about the benefits of practicing yoga at this stressful time of year. At the risk of sounding like a cardio snob, if I have 30 minutes a day (if I'm lucky) and i have to get into a special outfit in about a month and a half. I am not spending that 30 minutes taking cleansing breaths and stretching.

Don't get me wrong, if you exercise regulary year round you can absolutely benefit from a yoga class 1 maybe 2 times a week. However, if you are now just starting a routine in hopes of fitting into a size 8, then mama get ready to sweat. Here is the routine I recommend.

Perform 1 of these activities at least 30 minutes (45 or 60 minutes if your schedule allows) 4 times a week. This should include a 3-5 min warmup and 3-5 min cool down (you can stretch while you wait in the deli line).

Perform strength training moves using free weights, stability ball or nautilus machines for 30 minutes (preferably 45 or 60 mins) 2 times a week. This should include 3-5 min warm up and 3-5 mins stretching. Make sure to concentrate on whatever body part will be exposed (arms, back, calves, legs, shoulders...you get the point).

Do remember, after this routine kicks you into gear and gets you into your holiday outfit... CONTINUE!!! You can add wonderful activities like yoga, kick boxing, pilates, meditation and the benefits will be: a strong body, a beautiful posture, tons of energy and a radiant glow. But for now you just need to get into that halter dress!

Cardio options:

running

walking

treadmill work

elliptical trainer

spinning

aerobics and/or kick boxing

bike riding

roller blading

stair climber

About The Author

Valerie is mother of 2 and co-founder of http://www.million-dollar-mama.com a website devoted to helping mothers rediscover their favorite hobbies like travel, fitness and girls night out.

How VR Is Shaking Up The Way We Do CardioVR Fitness InsiderGetting our daily cardio or aerobics training not only helps our bodies stay healthy, it sets us up for success in VR gaming and in our everyday lives. Moving our ...

Should You Even Bother With Cardio?U.S. News & World ReportCardio used to be king. That is, until researchers and gym rats alike found that strength workouts come with greater fitness and health gains than do steady-state ...

Free fitness apps for getting in shapeINSIDERIf you're looking for a free fitness app that provides a good overall workout or can help you build up aerobic endurance, strength, or flexibility, here's what ...

10 best aerobic exercises for weight lossTimes of IndiaWish to lose weight and don't have time for it? Then aerobics is your answer. Aerobic exercise is a physical activity which will make you sweat. When your heart ...

How to Exercise While On the Keto DietShape MagazineThis low-carb, high-fat diet is popular among athletes, but there are some important things experts want you to know before you work out while on keto.

33 Cardio-Based Bodyweight ExercisesGreatistWhen we say "daily cardio exercise," odds are you immediately think about logging miles on a treadmill or elliptical. But it doesn't have to be that way. After all ...

Why Zumba Is Insanely Good ExerciseTIMEIf you're overweight, over 50, or just don't enjoy working out, Zumba may be one of the best workouts—and the most fun type of exercise.

Top affordable gyms in Nairobi CBDTuko.co.keMost Nairobians are health-conscious and are always in search of affordable gyms in Nairobi where they can sweat daily to keep diseases at bay and maintain ...

The Best Free Workout Videos on YouTubeGreatistWe've rounded up the best YouTube workouts, from aerobics to yoga to HIIT workouts, so that you can stay fit without stepping inside a gym or spending a dime!

The best way to eat before and after exerciseWashington PostConsumer Reports has no financial relationship with any advertisers on this site. Feeling wiped out or starving after a trip to the gym or a jog in the park? Take a ...